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Abstract:

A steam appliance includes a steam applicator which is connectable to the
steam appliance, but the steam applicator is permitted to rotate without
loosening or disengaging the connection of the steam applicator to the
steam appliance. Embodiments may be particularly suitable for use with a
portable, handheld steam appliance that employs steam pocket technology.

Claims:

1. A steam appliance, comprising:a steam generation unit;a steam
applicator; anda steam conduit configured to guide steam from the steam
generation unit to a steam inlet for the steam applicator;wherein the
steam applicator is connectable to the steam conduit; andthe steam
applicator is rotatable relative to the steam conduit in either
rotational direction without loosening the connection of the steam
applicator to the steam conduit.

2. A steam appliance as in claim 1, wherein the steam applicator has an
end-to-end direction and the steam applicator is rotatable relative to
the steam conduit about the end-to-end direction of the steam applicator
in either rotational direction without loosening the connection of the
steam applicator to the steam conduit.

3. A steam appliance as in claim 1, wherein the steam applicator is
connected to the steam conduit via a handle.

4. A steam appliance as in claim 3, wherein the handle has an end-to-end
direction, and the handle is rotatable relative to the steam conduit
about the end-to-end direction of the handle in either rotational
direction without loosening the connection of the steam applicator to the
steam conduit.

5. A steam appliance as in claim 1, wherein the steam applicator is
rotatable by at least 180 degrees relative to the steam conduit in either
rotational direction about the end-to-end direction of the steam
applicator without loosening the connection of the steam applicator to
the steam conduit.

6. A steam appliance as in claim 1, wherein the steam applicator is
rotatable by at least 360 degrees relative to the steam conduit in either
rotational direction about the end-to-end direction of the steam
applicator, without loosening the connection of the steam applicator to
the steam conduit.

7. A steam appliance as in claim 1, wherein the steam applicator is
repeatedly rotatable relative to the steam conduit in either rotational
direction about the end-to-end direction of the steam applicator without
loosening the connection of the steam applicator to the steam conduit.

8. A steam appliance as in claim 1, wherein the steam applicator is
connectable to the steam conduit with a tool-free connection.

9. A steam appliance as in claim 8, wherein at least two distinct user
actions are required to remove the steam applicator from the steam
conduit.

10. A steam appliance as in claim 9, wherein the at least two distinct
user actions comprise applying an end-to-end force on a handle relative
to the steam conduit, and applying a twisting force on the handle
relative to the steam conduit.

11. A steam appliance as in claim 8, further comprising a connector that
is constructed and arranged to permit rotation of the steam applicator
relative to the steam conduit about the end-to-end direction of the steam
applicator in either rotational direction without loosening the
connection of the steam applicator to the steam conduit.

12. A steam appliance as in claim 11, wherein the connector comprises a
threaded connector having: (a) an external thread portion positioned on
either the steam applicator or the steam conduit, and (b) an internal
thread portion positioned on the other of the steam applicator and the
steam conduit.

13. A steam appliance as in claim 12, wherein:the external thread portion
is selectively rotatable relative to whichever of the steam applicator
and the steam conduit that the external thread portion is positioned on,
and/orthe internal thread portion is selectively rotatable relative to
whichever of the steam applicator and the steam conduit that the internal
thread portion is positioned on.

14. A steam appliance as in claim 13, wherein when a user applies at least
a threshold force in an end-to-end direction of a handle of the steam
applicator, the selectively rotatable thread portion(s) is prevented from
rotating more than 180 degrees in either rotational direction relative to
whichever of the steam applicator and the steam conduit that the
selectively rotatable thread portion(s) is positioned on, as long as the
user continues to apply the at least a threshold force.

15. A steam appliance as in claim 14, wherein when the at least a
threshold force is applied, the at least a threshold force overcomes a
force provided by a resilient element.

16. A steam appliance as in claim 15, wherein the at least a threshold
force is transferred to the thread portions of the connector.

17. A steam appliance as in claim 16, wherein the resilient element
comprises a coil spring, and the at least a threshold force compresses
the spring such that engagement elements on the selectively rotatable
thread portion(s) engage with complementary engagement elements fixed to
whichever of the steam applicator and the steam conduit that the
selectively rotatable thread portion(s) is positioned on.

18. A steam appliance as in claim 17, wherein the internal thread portion
is selectively rotatable relative to whichever of the steam applicator
and the steam conduit that the internal thread portion is positioned on.

19. A steam appliance as in claim 18, wherein the internal thread portion
is positioned on the handle of the steam applicator.

20. A steam appliance as in claim 1, wherein the steam conduit comprises a
flexible hose.

21. A method of using a steam applicator having a handle with a end-to-end
direction, the method comprising:grasping the handle with a first
hand;grasping a steam conduit with a second hand;bringing a first
threaded portion of the steam applicator into contact with a second
threaded portion of the steam conduit;connecting the steam applicator to
the steam conduit;using the steam applicator to apply steam to an
object;rotating the handle in either rotational direction about the
end-to-end direction of the handle to rotate the steam applicator,
wherein the rotation of the handle does not loosen the connection of the
steam applicator to the steam conduit; anddisconnecting the steam
applicator from the steam conduit by simultaneously rotating the first
threaded portion relative to the second threaded portion and applying an
axial force between the conduit and the steam applicator, the axial force
being sufficient to overcome a force applied by a resilient element, such
that at least one of the first and second threaded portions is altered
from a configuration in which the at least one threaded portion is
rotatable relative to whichever of the steam applicator and the steam
conduit that it is positioned on, to a configuration in which the at
least one threaded portion is not rotatable relative to whichever of the
steam applicator and the steam conduit that it is positioned on.

22. A steam appliance, comprising:a steam generation unit;a steam
applicator having a handle;a steam conduit to guide steam from the steam
generation unit to the steam applicator; andmeans for mechanically
connecting the steam conduit to the handle of the steam
applicator;wherein the handle is permitted to repeatedly rotate relative
to the steam conduit in either rotation direction about an end-to-end
direction of the handle without loosening the connection of the handle to
the steam conduit.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The invention relates generally to steam appliances, and more
specifically to a steam applicator that is connectable to a conduit but
constructed and arranged be rotated without loosening or disengaging the
connection.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002]Steam appliances are used in the home to apply steam to floors for
cleaning and sanitizing. Various types of steam appliances are known,
including canister steam appliances and self-contained steam mops for
example. Canister steam appliances typically include a rollable steam
generation unit, a hose to transfer the steam from the steam generation
unit, a pole, and a mop head or other accessory which is connected to the
end of the pole. Self-contained steam mops include a steam generation
unit mounted directly on the pole. Handheld steam appliances typically
include a container and a nozzle for discharging steam directly from the
mouth of the container.

SUMMARY

[0003]Embodiments of the invention provided herein are directed to steam
appliances in which a steam applicator is connectable to the steam
appliance, but the steam applicator is permitted to rotate without
loosening or disengaging the connection of the steam applicator to the
steam appliance.

[0004]According to one embodiment of the invention, a steam appliance
includes a steam generation unit, a steam applicator, and a steam conduit
configured to guide steam from the steam generation unit to a steam inlet
for the steam applicator. The steam applicator is connectable to the
steam conduit, and the steam applicator is rotatable relative to the
steam conduit in either rotational direction without loosening the
connection of the steam applicator to the steam conduit.

[0005]According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of using
a steam applicator having a handle with a end-to-end direction includes
acts of grasping the handle with a first hand, grasping a steam conduit
with a second hand, bringing a first threaded portion of the steam
applicator into contact with a second threaded portion of the steam
conduit, and connecting the steam applicator to the steam conduit. The
method further includes using the steam applicator to apply steam to an
object, and rotating the handle in either rotational direction about the
end-to-end direction of the handle to rotate the steam applicator,
wherein the rotation of the handle does not loosen the connection of the
steam applicator to the steam conduit. Also included is a method of
disconnecting the steam applicator from the steam conduit by
simultaneously rotating the first threaded portion relative to the second
threaded portion and applying an axial force between the conduit and the
steam applicator, the axial force being sufficient to overcome a force
applied by a resilient element, such that at least one of the first and
second threaded portions is altered from a configuration in which the at
least one threaded portion is rotatable relative to whichever of the
steam applicator and the steam conduit that it is positioned on, to a
configuration in which the at least one threaded portion is not rotatable
relative to whichever of the steam applicator and the steam conduit that
it is positioned on.

[0006]According to a further embodiment of the invention, a steam
appliance includes a steam generation unit, a steam applicator having a
handle, a steam conduit to guide steam from the steam generation unit to
the steam applicator, and means for mechanically connecting the steam
conduit to the handle of the steam applicator. The handle is permitted to
repeatedly rotate relative to the steam conduit in either rotation
direction about an end-to-end direction of the handle without loosening
the connection of the handle to the steam conduit.

[0007]Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain
advantages. Not all embodiments of the invention share the same
advantages and those that do may not share them under all circumstances.

[0008]Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as
the structure of various embodiments of the present invention are
described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. For
purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing.
In the drawings:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a side view of a steam appliance system according to one
embodiment of the invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a side view of a first portion of a connector according to
one embodiment of the invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second portion of a connector
configured to engage with the first portion illustrated in FIG. 2; and

[0013]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of components of the second
connector portion illustrated in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014]Applicants have recognized the importance of providing a steam
applicator assembly which can be freely rotated without compromising the
connection of the applicator assembly to a steam conduit. The ability to
rotate the steam applicator can be particularly important when the steam
applicator assembly is a handheld assembly that is attached to a flexible
hose or other flexible conduit because a user may wish to rotate the
steam applicator without twisting or kinking the hose. It is also
desirable to prevent unintentional disengagement of the steam applicator
during rotation of the steam applicator to avoid steam loss and the
inconvenience of reconnecting the steam applicator.

[0015]According to some embodiments of the invention, a steam appliance
permits a user to engage and disengage the steam applicator with the same
type of motion and without detaching any components. In some embodiments,
disconnecting the steam applicator requires two distinct motions. For
example, a user may need to push the steam applicator toward the steam
conduit and then twist the conduit to separate the steam conduit and the
steam applicator.

[0016]According to one embodiment of the invention, a steam applicator is
connected to a flexible steam conduit with a threaded connector
configuration which allows rotation of the steam applicator relative to
the steam conduit during use without compromising the connection. The
threaded connector includes an external thread portion and an internal
thread portion. One of the thread portions, for example the internal
thread portion, is positioned within an element such as a handle on the
steam applicator. The internal thread portion is constructed and arranged
to rotate within the handle. By allowing the internal thread portion to
"float" within the handle, friction between the thread portions rotates
the internal thread portion within the handle, thereby substantially
preventing the complementary external thread portion from being fully
twisted into our out of the internal thread portion. To successfully
twist the external thread portion into or out of the internal thread
portion, the user pushes the two thread portions toward each other, which
temporarily fixes the internal thread portion to the handle, thereby
permitting relative rotation of the two thread portions.

[0017]A steam appliance system 100 including two attachable steam
applicators 102, 104 is shown in FIG. 1. Steam applicators 102, 104 each
may include a handle 107 which is permanently or detachably attached to
the applicator. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, steam appliance system 100
includes a steam generation unit 108, a steam conduit 110, and attached
steam applicator 102. Steam generation unit 108 may include any suitable
type of steam generation system, for example a cool water reservoir 112
and an aluminum die-cast steam generator (not shown). In some
embodiments, water may be heated to its boiling point within its
reservoir to create steam. It should be noted that the method of steam
generation is not intended to be a limiting aspect of the invention.

[0018]In some embodiments, the steam generation unit 108 is handheld,
while in other embodiments the steam generation unit may include a
shoulder strap, or include wheels or other rollers.

[0019]Steam conduit 110 is a flexible hose in some embodiments. Steam
conduit 110 may be attachable to steam generation unit 108 with any
suitable attachment 114, including a removable connector, such as a
bayonet connector.

[0020]One particular embodiment of a steam appliance which permits
rotation a steam applicator without compromising the connection of the
steam applicator to the steam appliance is shown in FIGS. 2-4. In this
embodiment, a steam appliance includes an externally-threaded connector
portion 202 attached to steam conduit 110. A hand grasp portion 206 is
attached to steam conduit 110 and threaded connector portion 202 for the
user to grip when attaching or detaching steam conduit 110 and handle
107.

[0021]Steam conduit includes an elongated stem 208 to guide steam through
handle 107 and to a steam outlet 212. O-rings 210 or other seal elements
may be positioned on stem 208 to establish a seal with the steam
applicator, whether that seal be within the handle of the steam
applicator, or within the steam applicator itself. The stem and sealing
aspects of the illustrated embodiment are not intended to be limiting. A
stress release sleeve 214 may be included at the junction of steam
conduit 110 and hand grasp portion 206 in some embodiments.

[0022]An internally-threaded connector portion 302 with threads 304 is
positioned within handle 107 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.
Connector portion 302 is permitted to rotate within handle 107, and is
also permitted to move axially between stops 306 and 308. Connector
portion 302 is biased away from a lock element 310 by a coil spring 312.
Instead of a spring, any suitable resilient element may be used to bias
connector portion 302 away from lock element 310. For example, a
compressible resilient foam gasket may be used in some embodiments. In
still other embodiments, a constant force spring, an elastic band, or any
other suitable tensioning device, may bias connector portion 302 away
from locking element 310 by pulling on connector portion 302.

[0023]When a user initially inserts externally-threaded connector portion
202 into internally-threaded connector portion 302, rotating the two
portions relative to each other will not result in a mating of the
threaded portions because connector portion 302 rotates with connector
portion 202. However, when the user pushes connector portion 302 against
locking element 310 by providing an axial force of at least a threshold
force ft to overcome the force provided by coil spring 312 connector
portion is prevented from rotating by more than a small angle because
locking tabs 314 on connector portion 302 are rotated into abutment with
locking tabs 316 on the locking element 310. With locking element 310
prevented from rotating, connector portion 202 can be twisted into mating
engagement with connector portion 302. Locking element 310 is prevented
from moving axially away from connector portion 302 by a stop 318.

[0024]In this manner, two distinct motions are required of the user to
attach or remove a steam applicator from steam conduit 110. While in the
illustrated embodiment the two distinct motions include an axial force
and a twisting force acting simultaneously, other multiple distinct
action configurations may be used. For example, in some embodiments, a
ball and groove quick disconnect coupling is used to connect a steam
conduit to a steam applicator. In such an embodiment, a first motion may
include moving a locking collar, and a second motion may include pulling
the handle of the steam applicator away from the steam conduit. Some
embodiments may require two or more distinct motions to remove a steam
applicator, while allowing attachment of a steam applicator with only a
single motion.

[0025]By requiring two or more distinct motions to remove a steam
applicator, unintended disengagement or loosening of the steam applicator
during use of the steam appliance may be prevented. For example, the user
may rotate the steam applicator in either direction about an end-to-end
direction of the steam application when cleaning surfaces, and it may be
beneficial to avoid having the steam conduit rotate as a result of the
steam applicator rotations. By allowing connector portion 302 to rotate
relative to handle 107, handle 107 can rotate without twisting steam
conduit 110 and with loosening the engagement of the two threaded
connectors. For purposes herein, loosening a connection is intended to
include compromising a connection. For example, in some embodiments, a
connection may become less than fully engaged such that the connection is
at risk of disengaging, yet the connection may not permit perceptible
movement of the two connected components relative to one another.

[0026]In some embodiments, one or more rotation stops may be included to
limit the rotation angle of the steam applicator in either rotation
direction (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise about an end-to-end
direction of the steam applicator). In such an embodiment, the steam
applicator is permitted rotate a certain amount, for example by
permitting connector portion 302 to rotate, but the steam applicator
rotation is prevented from further rotations by the rotation stops. The
rotation stops may include one or more tabs (not shown) protruding from
an interior wall of handle 107 between stops 306 and 308. In some
embodiments, the steam applicator is permitted to rotate 180 degrees in
either direction, and in some embodiments, the steam applicator is
permitted to rotate 360 degrees in either direction.

[0027]The embodiments described above allow for a tool-free attachment and
removal of steam applicators from the steam appliance. In some
embodiments, however, a tool may be used.

[0028]While embodiments described herein are direction to rotations of a
steam applicator or a handle about an end-to-end direction of the steam
application or the handle, in some embodiments, pitch and/or yaw
rotations may be permitted as well. A universal joint may be used in
addition to, or instead of, the structures described herein.

[0029]For purposes herein, the terms "connect", "connected", "connection",
"attach", "attached" and "attachment" refer to direct connections and
attachments, indirect connections and attachments, and operative
connections and attachments. For example, steam applicator 102 is
considered to be connected to steam conduit 110 even though steam
applicator is directly connected to handle 107 which is, in turn,
connected to steam conduit 110. Also for purposes herein, the terms
"connectable", "attachable", "removable", etc. refer both to components
which can be connected, attached, removed, etc., and also refer to
components which are connected, attached and removed.

[0030]For ease of understanding, and without limiting the scope of the
invention, the embodiments to which this patent is addressed are
described above particularly in connection with a handheld portable steam
appliance. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention
can be embodied in other types of steam appliances. Additionally, while
the steam applicators described above employ steam pocket technology,
other types of steam applicators may be used in conjunction with
embodiments disclosed herein.

[0031]Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of
this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations,
modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in
the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended
to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit
and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and
drawings are by way of example only.

Patent applications by Oliver Rudolph Breit, Mid Levels HK

Patent applications by Euro-Pro Operating, LLC

Patent applications in class Including work heating or contact with combustion products

Patent applications in all subclasses Including work heating or contact with combustion products